Mussels as bait

[bouncer965]

Reading a good article on how to prep mussels for using as bait and seems like a good techinque. Was wonder what sort of species is best to target with mussels. And is anyone having any luck using mussels as a bait. I personally have never tried it.

I imagine there pretty handy enough but would appreciate some advice on species being caught on them ....thanks

[Bigboned]

I used mussels nearly exclusively for about 8 years as they were readily available and I didn't dig for worms, but that was 30 years ago. I still use them with worms for a cocktail for most beach and pier fish maybe just a nostalgic thing as I'm a creature of habit or maybe as putting them on the hook keeps the mrs at bay being squeamish

[paul mason]

Mussel was a prime bait here on the east coast back in the day of many fish!!! It can be still a good bait, although we dont have the coalies and codling in numbers around that feed on them anymore. It's always a handy bait to carry and try if all else fails.
In the past out of the boats in greystones all that was needed was a bucket of mussel. Plod out to Reilly's ridge and anchor there for the day catching plump Cod on Mussel baits. The Mussel was hooked once through the white mussel bit then twice through the flesh and then through the tongue no bait elastic was used.
Trying to shell mussel can be a pain to the novice but results can be good with a little practice. Unfortunately the art of shelling Mussel is dying out and there is not many lads can do it any more.

[lastcast]

It really is easy to get the knack of shelling them. You will become proficient in no time with the right tool. All you need is a small table knife with the blade shortened to about 2 or 3 inches and the end ground into a round (blunt!) end. There is another good article on mussels for bait here:
http://www.planetseafishing.com/tutoria ... f-mussels/

[bouncer965]

Well it may be worth a bash getting a few and trying my luck with them ....possible cocktail made up and casting out to see what if any results i get. Found a large mussel bed lastnight whilst prowling around a shore line so no harm in trying it....and its free and fresh too.

Maybe better for winter mind say down at monkstown for the cod.

[lucky13]

a very underestimated bait methinks.have seen some very interesting methods myself,they are great for ballan wrasse...the 2 i use most would be to wrap up 5/6 fresh mussels in a tea bag and bound them onto my hook with bait-lass,which works well,or to collect them pre session and wrap about 40 onto a skewer and bind with bait lass then freeze...just cut off a chunk then onto your hook,great for big bait cocktails...good for float fishing too definatly well worth having in your bucket!

[bouncer965]

a very underestimated bait methinks.have seen some very interesting methods myself,they are great for ballan wrasse...the 2 i use most would be to wrap up 5/6 fresh mussels in a tea bag and bound them onto my hook with bait-lass,which works well,or to collect them pre session and wrap about 40 onto a skewer and bind with bait lass then freeze...just cut off a chunk then onto your hook,great for big bait cocktails...good for float fishing too definatly well worth having in your bucket!

your last method was similar to what i was thinking, collecting the mussels and then threading onto hooks and lightly wrap with bait elastic then putting them in the freezer for when i go fishing and keep in a cool bag. Then having an easy clip on my rig and literally just clip the hook onto the easy clip ....they should then be really good for casting out and stay on the hook

[lucky13]

[quote="bouncer965 Then having an easy clip on my rig and literally just clip the hook onto the easy clip ....they should then be really good for casting out and stay on the hook [/quote]

even better...excellent idea man...
up here for thinking down there for dancing...